Arsene Wenger: Our title challenge is still alive

Tom Collomosse
23 Nov 2009

Arsene Wenger has insisted Arsenal remain contenders for the Premier League title despite falling eight points behind Chelsea.

The Gunners' 1-0 defeat at Sunderland leaves them with plenty of ground to make up, and their task will start to look even tougher if they fail to overcome Carlo Ancelotti's side at Emirates Stadium on Sunday.

But ahead of tomorrow night's home game in the Champions League against Standard Liege, which, if they win, will ensure Arsenal top their group, Wenger claimed his team remain credible title challengers.

The manager said: "We have played two more games than Chelsea away from home, and we have a game in hand on them, so it is not as bad as it looks.

"Liege are a big team. Once we have overcome them will we start to think about Chelsea."

Kieran Gibbs has recovered from his foot injury and should return to the starting XI against the Belgians, but Robin van Persie and Nicklas Bendtner remain sidelined, with Abou Diaby facing three more weeks out with his calf problem.

"We still have enough in our locker to score even when Robin is not there," insisted Wenger. "We didn't win enough duels in the final part of the pitch against Sunderland, and if that happens, we're not dangerous."